BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB Previews

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/20/25 at 12:35am

A sound like this, it tends to travel…

Following a premiere run at Atlantic Theater Company in late 2023, the jukebox musical Buena Vista Social Club heads uptown to Broadway, providing some much-needed heat for the tail end of a cold New York winter. Based on the eponymous music group’s self-titled album of golden age Cuban music, the show has a principal cast that includes Natalie Venetia Belcon, Julio Monge, Mel Semé, Jainardo Batista Sterling, Isa Antonetti, Da’Von T. Moody, Wesley Wray, Leonardo Reyna, Renesito Avich, Ashley De La Rosa, and Justin Cunningham. Buena Vista Social Club features a book by Marco Ramirez, choreography by Justin Peck and Patricia Delgado, and direction by Saheem Ali. Previews begin mañana (February 21) before a March 19 opening at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.

“Step into the heart of Cuba, beyond the glitz of the Tropicana, to a place where blazing trumpets and sizzling guitars set the dance floor on fire. Here, the real sound of Havana is born — and one woman discovers the music that will change her life forever.

Inspired by true events, the new Broadway musical Buena Vista Social Club brings the Grammy-winning album to thrilling life — and tells the story of the legends who lived it. A world-class Afro-Cuban band joins a sensational cast of musicians, actors, and dancers from around the world for an authentic experience unlike any you’ve seen or heard before. Don’t miss this unforgettable tale of big dreams, second chances, and the power of art to help us survive.”

¿Quién va?

[malcs98]

Posted: 2/20/25 at 2:27am

Very excited to attend the first preview, as a Cuban this show and this music really means a lot to me, stay tuned for my thoughts

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/21/25 at 2:02pm

10-piece band for this one, music direction and orchestrations by Marco Paguia. 

• Conductor / Piano
• Woodwinds
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• 3 Percussion
• Guitar
• Tres
• Bass

(A tres is a six-stringed Cuban chordophone.)

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/21/25 at 6:45pm

Official website lists a running time of 2:10, including an intermission

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 2/21/25 at 10:46pm

Anyone there tonight?

[malcs98]

Posted: 2/21/25 at 11:17pm

Was there tonight. Let me preface by saying that I am saying that I am half-Cuban so this music means a lot to me and while I did not see this at the Atlantic, I have seen a lot of truly great first previews this season and this might just be one of the strongest ones I have seen. This show was absolutely phenomenal and the audience felt it; Clapping on the beat, whooping when a band member was mentioned you get the idea. I totally forgot I was in New York, the whole time I felt like I was in Cuba. Also there was not a single tech hold throughout the entire show. With that being said, the book does need a tiny bit of work but from what ive seen I don't think it should be too much. Could definitely be a possible competitor against MHE for Best Musical 

Updated On: 2/21/25 at 11:17 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/22/25 at 7:36am

Yo voy! Gotta support my Latino brothers and sisters! ❤️

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/22/25 at 8:15am

I don't know anything about this one, but the photos of the set I saw online are REALLY pretty. Looking forward to checking this out later next month.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 2/22/25 at 8:40am

Anyone who saw this at the Atlantic there tonight? Absolutely loved MOST of this downtown, but damn was that a ****ty book. I really hope they cut a lot of the dialogue and put in more BSC music. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 2/22/25 at 11:01am

The show I saw at Atlantic would have been so much better as a revue with no proper book, just an arc and throughline. The book stopped the momentum cold and there's so little book to begin with that they would have been better off excising it all.

I don't really see there being a sustained audience for this show without "best of the season" raves.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 2/22/25 at 12:11pm

Felt the same way. With that said, I absolutely loved the music (and have since I was in high school) so willing to forgive a bad book. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/22/25 at 12:32pm

malcs98 said: "Was there tonight. Let me preface by saying that I am saying that I am half-Cuban so this music means a lot to me and while I did not see this at the Atlantic, I have seen a lot of truly great first previews this season and this might just be one of the strongest ones I have seen. This show was absolutely phenomenal and the audience felt it; Clapping on the beat, whooping when a band member was mentioned you get the idea. I totally forgot I was in New York, the whole time I felt like I was in Cuba. Also there was not a single tech hold throughout the entire show. With that being said, the book does need a tiny bit of work but from what ive seen I don't think it should be too much. Could definitely be a possible competitor against MHE for Best Musical"

What a beautiful review. Thank you for this. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/22/25 at 7:14pm

I’m on line for tonight’s show and it seems the crew from Atlantic Theatre Company is flyering about their contract situation 

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/23/25 at 7:48am

I’ll keep it brief since I’m curating my thoughts in writing a full review later.

- The show is absolutely on FIRE! The orchestrations, choreography and the vocals were some of the best so far I have seen this season.

- The audience was clearly having a blast. Much like the previous poster said - lots of clapping, audience engagement, but not where it was ever disruptive. This is a show that WANTS you to feel the music in your bones and it almost compels you to do so.

- Natalia Venetia Belcon is NOT to be counted out of the Best Actress race - she is doing some truly fantastic work that balances Omara’s self-awareness as a legend and her inner conflicts with her past.

- The book, a bit clunky, but I don’t really think it matters too much. It’s more to just to contour around the music itself. The songs aren’t really diagetic.

- We had a standing ovation after the Act II opening when Renesito Avich basically edged the audience with his guitar skills during “El Cuarto de Tula”. He is truly a master of the tres guitar and, honestly, I would put him in the race for Featured Actor/Musical. Granted, he isn’t really a character with an arc (though he is playing a real person), but I have never seen 1000+ people be seduced by just the plucking of a few guitar strings and creative improvisation.

- The one major downside is that the show has lost intimacy from the Atlantic. The bigger space does allow for a new ending, but there were many times where I felt far away from the action - and the performances can’t be broadened without being compromised

[Melissa25]

Posted: 2/23/25 at 8:28am

Curtain call: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGXEJ8NsW44/?igsh=NTJ1ZTJ0NzZieThw

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 2/23/25 at 10:59pm

I thought this was just wonderful. 

The show’s glaring issue is its book, which while structured actually quite effectively, suffers from simply poorly written dialogue.

Beyond that, though, basically everything else is quite tremendous. There is so much passion and talent on the Schoenfeld stage right now. The music really does sweep you in—I don’t mean to copy the above poster, but I also totally forgot I was in New York. 

The rich, full lighting and breathtaking choreography were particular standouts, as was a very powerful Natalia Venetia Belcon. Isa Antonetti is also a delight.

This wasn’t really on my radar as a show I was looking especially forward to this season, but I really loved it and will certainly go back again after opening.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 12:00am

Just saw this tonight. The book dialogue scenes are dreadful.
I was impressed by the talent of the musicians but since I was completely unfamiliar with the band or any of the songs they didn’t really do anything for me. Most of the audience was super into it though. This definitely should have just been a straight revue rather than trying to cram a hamfisted story around the songs.

[the.hard.part]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 8:44am

Might be a weird question but are the book scenes in english or spanish? I plan to see it either way but just wanted to have a feel of what I'm walking into.

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 9:56am

the.hard.part said: "Might be a weird question but are the book scenes in english or spanish? I plan to see it either way but just wanted to have a feel of what I'm walking into."

Primarily English. All songs are in Spanish.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 10:40am

This worked better in its original smaller space at The Atlantic, in my opinion. 

On Broadway, even in a smaller house, the book scenes feel uninvolving and plodding to say the least (especially the scenes with the younger characters). All of these "younger" performers are more than capable when it comes to their musical talents, but their acting skills are...rough.  The fact that the incredibly cliche book scenes consistently bring the show to a screeching halt doesn't help, to be clear. They've got their work cut out for them, given the material...

If the book scenes come off as detached and inaccessible, thankfully the musical numbers are vibrant and thrilling. The choreography, orchestrations, and lighting are particularly strong. Natalie Venetia Belcon is even better than she was Off Broadway - she elevates all of the proceedings.  

At the end of the day, the musical moments soar and that will likely be more than enough for anyone buying a ticket - that's what they're coming for and, on that front, the show delivers. 

Updated On: 2/26/25 at 10:40 AM

[veronicamae]

Posted: 3/4/25 at 11:30pm

Saw this tonight and looooooooooooved it!

I don't know the band/songs, but I love Cuban and Latin American music and while I only know basic Spanish, I didn't feel I needed to understand every lyric to understand the songs.

[SFFrontRow]

Posted: 3/6/25 at 12:31am

I saw a preview a couple weeks ago. The book is in English but the songs are all in Spanish. The Playbill has an insert that outlines each song with some history and synopsis - so you know the emotion of the song (for lack of a better phrase) even if you don't know the words. Definitely helped with my enjoyment of the show.

I enjoyed the book scenes (even if predictable) but I think everyone would agree the music is very good. I sat next to a Cuban man who told me during intermission he grew up with these songs. From their reaction to the music, my preview audience definitely knew the music and that neightened the energy level.

If you like Cuban music, the show is definitely worth seeing.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/6/25 at 5:58pm

The company will perform from the show tomorrow on Good Morning America.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/7/25 at 11:06am

The cast performing “El Carretero / Qué Bueno Baila Usted”:

 

Updated On: 3/7/25 at 11:06 AM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/7/25 at 5:23pm

Isa Antonetti, Wesley Wray, Da'Von T. Moody, and the company with a third-hour performance of "La Negra Tomasa":

 

 

Updated On: 3/7/25 at 05:23 PM